Jerry Murphy - Munster Marathon 1979

MURPHY’S BEST YET TO COME

munster marathon 1979
This article, by Brendan Mooney, appeared in the Cork Examiner on Monday, May 14th 1979

Corkman Jerry Murphy, Leevale AC, celebrated his 29th birthday in style yesterday at Rathkeale, where he coasted to victory in the Munster Marathon Championship, promoted by the Southern Region Council in glorious sunshine, and in winning his first major championship title, indicated that his best running is still ahead of him

On a day when the first half of the race was run into a fresh headwind, his time of 2 hours 28 mins. 47 secs, some four minutes outside his best, bore adequate testimony to his wholehearted effort

But much more impressive was the manner in which he accomplished his task. He was always in the firing line, and once he took control of the race after Neil Cusack and Robert Costelloe of Limerick made their exit at the half-way stage, he never looked in any kind of difficulty

“I was bored running on my own near the end”, he said. "I would have preferred to have had somebody up alongside. It would have made it a bit more interesting for everyone”

One of the most consistent of our long distance men, his speed has improved considerably this season, and he is now aiming for the Enschede Marathon on August 25, a race in which he finished 25th four years ago. “I think I would get more satisfaction from that race than from the national championship”, he explained. “They always treat me well over there”

He was followed home by his clubmate Liam Horgan, who finished second to Phil Dolan of Scotland, in the Ulster marathon last year, after a disappointing first run in the national championship in Tullamore

Ballyhaunis-born St. Finbarr's runner, Michael Joyce, who was told he would never run on the road again after a back operation nine years ago, was third, ahead of former winner and twice runner-up, Flor O'Leary also of St. Finbarr's

BROWNE LEADS

David Browne (Waterford) took the field through the first three miles ten seconds ahead of Paul Mulholland (Midleton). At five miles Mulholland led from Browne in 28 mins. 35 secs

Neil Cusack, availing of the opportunity of a run before next Saturday's Amsterdam marathon, and Robert Costelloe took them through 10 miles in 57 mins. 6 secs, four seconds ahead of Murphy, Horgan and Mulholland

At 11 miles Mulholland began to drop back, and Murphy moved up to join the leaders both of whom dropped out at the turn, and left the Corkmen, Murphy and Horgan leading the field in 1 hr. 14 mins

Horgan hung on until 18 miles, when Murphy went on alone, and Mulholland dropped out. Horgan then survived a cramp to finish second and Joyce held on to finish ahead of O’Leary

Willie Hayes (Reenavanna Harriers) finished 5th with John Walsh (Doheny A.C.), also making his debut, 6th ahead of Gerry Ryan (Premier) and John Carroll (Tipperary Town)

In the team contest, Leevale finished with 18 points, and their Cork City neighbours, St. Finbarr’s, had 19

Details: 1, J. Murphy (Leevale) 2 hrs. 28 mins. 47 secs.; 2, L. Horgan (Leevale) 2:31:44; 3, M. Joyce (St. Finbarr’s) 2:39:16; 4, F. O’Leary (St. Finbarr’s) 2:40:17; 5, W. Hayes (Reenavanna Harriers) 2:41:23; 6, J. Walsh (Doheny’s) 2:44:27) 7, G. Ryan (Premier A.C.) 2:48:11; 8, J. Carroll (Tipperary Town) 2:49:58; 9, P. O’Regan (Limerick) 2:51:55; 10, S. O’Toole (Premier) 2:55:55; 11, P. Carmody (St. John’s, Tralee) 2:56:08; 12, J. Walsh (Midleton) 2:57:45; 13, D. Burke (St. Finbarr’s) 2:58:35; 14, M. Monogue (Tulla) 3:01:12; 15, J. O'Leary (Leevale) 3:02:15

Where are they now?

Forty three years later....Where are they now for some of the participants

1. Jerry Murphy, lives in Douglas. Jerry was a scoring member on Leevale winning teams of the Cork County Senior Cross-Country Championships, between 1973 and 1980 - no mean feat, considering the calibre of runners Leevale had at that time

jerry murphy photo john walshe